I found Silviu Tanasoiu’s story incredibly inspiring.   He grew up in an apartment in Romania and it sounded like he didn’t have much growing up.  One anecdote that stood out was when he was invited to Florida to participate in a tennis tournament for the Romanian team; however, his ticket to the US was not subsidized.  As a result, his father ended up selling the family’s car so Silviu could buy a plane ticket to the US and play at the highest level.

The sacrifice his parents made for him and his own determination to become the best was incredibly motivating.  It made me reminisce about the sacrifices that my own parents made for my brother and I to go to boarding school and then Cornell.  Upon further introspection, I realized that – like Silviu – my parents’ sacrifices have been one of my primary sources of motivation/encouragement.  Oftentimes when I’m stuck on an assignment or feel overwhelmed, I think about what my parents have done for me and find the strength to study an extra hour, run an extra mile, or even wake up early to seize the day.